Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1887-12-10


wool BE- produced and sold.
When the number OF farmers engaged In
Yool raising Is compared with tho farmers
" the country, and the small proportion
they bear TO our population l. considered;
when It ID made apparent that in the case Of
large part OF those who own sheep, the
benefit OF the present tariff on wool l.
lunsory; and, above all, uhen 1t must be
&nceded that the increase Of the cost of
diving caused by such tariff becomes bur
: len rr-n those with moderate means and
Sfhe poor, the employed and unemployed, the
7ck and we'll and the young and Old, and
Vepat It constitutes tax, which, with rslent-
isss grasp, Is fastened upon the clothing Of
every man, woman and child IN the land,
Feasons are suggested why the removal or
Rsduction OF this duty should DO included In
revision of our tariff laws.
IA speaking Of the increased cost to the
c&sumer OF our home manufactures, result
aug from adpty laid upon imported articles
OF the same description, the factis overlooked
that competition among our domestic pro
duces sometimes has the effect Of keeping
the price Of their products bslow the highest
limit allowed by such duty. Bat tits noiori-
n Gus that this competition Is to often stran-
gled by combinations quite prevalent at this
E4E'o HhA Al cfhoubiJ tuiit1 trusts WHICH nave
Tor the objecsther regulation of the supply
and price OF commodities made and sold by
members OF the combin alton. The people
can hardly hope for any consideration in the
operation Of these selfish schemes.
~, howev,r, in taa abssnce Of such combine
ton, hoalthy and free competition reduces
the price OF any particular dutlable article
OF home production below the limit which
It might otherwise roach unbr our tariff
laws, and If, with such reduced price its
fmanufacture continues to thrive, IL is an
L ttirely evident that one thing has been dis
AIc0vefed which should be carefully scruti-
Aineea In an effort to reduce taxation. The
necessity OF combination 10 maintain the
price Of any commodity to the tariff point
furnishes proof that some one il willing to
accept lower prices for such commodity and
IN tlat such prices are romunsratlve, and
.NSoFer prices produced by competition prove
Me- same thing Thus where either of these
conditions exist. case would seem to be
presented for an easy reduction OF taxation.
Tho considerations which have been pre-
sented touching our tariff laws are intended
only to enforce an earnest recommendation
that the surplus revenues of the government
be prevented oy the deduction or our GUS
tom duties, and, at the same time TO en-
phasize . suggestion that in accomplishing
this purpose we may discharge double
duty to our ps pie, by granting TO them a
Measure OF relef from tariff taxation in
aRarters where IL is most needed, and from
sources wnese At can be nibst fairly and
justly accorded. Nor can the presentation
made OF sucn considerations, with any de-
Agree OF falruess, DO regarded as evidence OF
II Nlnfriendline.s toward our manufacturing
sAANeress, or of any lack of appreciation OF
heir value ind Importance.
! NThese interests constitute a leading anu
most substantial element of our Naliona
greatness, and furnish the proud proof OF
cur country's progress. But II in the emar
geucy tEat presces upon US our manu-
factur8fS are asked to surrender somelhiu
for the public good, and to avert dlsastpr,
their PATRIOTISM as we'll as a grateful reslg
natien of advantages already afforded
should lead them to willing cooperation
No demand is made that they shaI forego
all the benefits Of governmental regard
but they cshio1 fail 20 be admonished OF
their duty, a well Gs their enllg htened self
interest ami safety, When they are reminded
of Nhe fact that financial panic and COLLAPSE
ito which The present condition tends, afford
tno greaJee shelter or protection to our man
Afacturers than co our other important en-.
terprises opportunity for safe, careful and
deliberate reform is now afforded, and one
of us should be inmindful of time when
an abused and irritated people, needless OF
those who nave resisted timely and reasona
bic relief may insist upon a radical and
sweeping rsctifcation of their wrong.
Sue difficulty attending a wise aud fair
revision OF our tariff laws is not under
estimated 1t will require on the part Of
~
especially abroad and National contempla.
tin OF the subject, and patriotic disre-
gard of such local and selfish claims as arr
unreasonable and reckless of the welfare OF
the entire country, Under our present la WI
= more than four thousand articles are sub
jsct to duty. Many Of these do not in any
way compete with or own manufacturers.
and many are hardly worth attention as
subjects of revenue. A considerable reduc-
ton can be made in the aggregate, by add
ing them to the free list. The taxation OF
Nluxures presents no features of hardship.
but the necessaries of life used and con
suAled by all the people, the duty upon
which adds to the cost of living in every
home, should be greatly cheapened. Tn,
radical reduction of the duties imposed
upon raw material used in manufacturer.
or its free importation, is, Of course, an i'm
portant factor in an effort to reduce tn.
pNce Of thes necessaries; would not only
relieve them from the increased cost caused
by the tariff on such material, but the man
ufactured product being thus cheapened
that part of the tariff now laid upon such
product as a compensation to our manufac
lures for the present price of raw materia
could he occasionally modified. Such re
Y duction, or free importation, would serv,
beside to largely reduce the revenue.
1t is not apparent how such chang,
can have any injurious effect upol
our manufacturers. On the contrary, i
would appear to give them a better chanc,
in foreign markets with the manufacturer.
of other countries, who cheaper their ware
by free material. Thus our people nigh
hRSe the opportunity of extending thei
males beyond the limit OF home consump
ton, saving them the depression of inter
ruption in business and loss caused by
Quilted domestic market, aud affordinc
their employees more certain and stead,
slsbor, with its resulting quiet and content
fSsnt The question thus imperatively pre-
sented for solution should DO approached il
a spirit higher than partisanship and con
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